Is Dave Chappelle’s “The Closer” just “The Beginning?”

“The Closer” is a 2021 American stand-up comedy show written and performed by comedian Dave Chappelle. It was directed by Stan Lathan and recorded at the Filmore in Detroit in August 2021.

Chappelle dives into the controversy involving North Carolina rapper DaBaby by wondering aloud why the rapper was “cancelled” for making remarks against the LGBTQ community and not “cancelled” for killing a black man in a Walmart in Huntsville, North Carolina. Chappelle then voiced support for J.K. Rowling who herself was “cancelled” for stating that male and female genders are a fact. Chappelle supports Rowling by summarizing that regardless of identity, all humans are born through a woman.

The Closer is controversial, Dave Chappelle stands accused of “punching down” on the transgender community by being insensitive and hurtful with his jokes. Many have called for Netflix to pull The Closer from its line-up.

Dave Chappelle is an activist who uses comedy to debate social issues, his work is considered as funny, thought provoking and at times insensitive. As “cancel culture” gains momentum The Closer attempts to bring us to a turning point. The debate around The Closer has transformed into a discussion around cancel culture. Is “The Closer” the vehicle that brings about the end of “cancel culture”… is “The Closer” just “The beginning?”

Photo: curtesy of Netflix | Author: Shiloh Adams @picsbyshiloh